U.S. patent application number 14/973209 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for electronic device capable of performing data communication and method for charging the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Ildong KANG.
Application Number | 20160181840 14/973209 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56130574 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160181840 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KANG; Ildong |
June 23, 2016 |
Electronic Device Capable of Performing Data Communication and
Method for Charging the Same
Abstract
An electronic device capable of performing data communication
and method of charging the same are provided. The electronic device
comprises a device body, a band that couples the device body to a
target object, a fastening part that adjusts a fit of the band to
the target object, a fixing strap movably coupled to the band, and
an interface terminal installed in the fixing strap, wherein a
charging state is determined according to the position of the
fixing strap relative to the band.
Inventors: |
KANG; Ildong; (Suwon-si,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
56130574 |
Appl. No.: |
14/973209 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/007 20130101;
H02J 7/00 20130101; G06F 1/26 20130101; H02J 7/0045 20130101; G06F
1/163 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00; G06F 1/16 20060101 G06F001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0187572 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: a device body; a band that
couples the device body to a target object; a fastening part that
adjusts a fit of the band coupled to the target object; a fixing
strap movably coupled to the band; and an interface terminal
installed in the fixing strap, wherein a charging state is
determined according to a position of the fixing strap relative to
the band.
2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the band comprises a
first band and a second band, and the first band comprises the
fastening part.
3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the fixing strap is
securely placed on the first band so as to slide thereon without
falling off.
4. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the interface terminal
is installed in the fixing strap, and a space into which the second
band is inserted is formed between the interface terminal and the
first band.
5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the fixing strap
comprises a connector charging terminal coupled to the interface
terminal.
6. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising: a device
charging terminal for charging the device body; and a movable cover
to protect the device charging terminal, wherein the movable cover
is moved to provide access to the device charging terminal, and
wherein the movable cover comprises one or more seals made of
electrically insulated material to protect the device charging
terminal.
7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein when the fixing strap
slides to a predetermined position of the band, the movable cover
is moved such that the device charging terminal and the connector
charging terminal are electrically connected to each other.
8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein when the movable cover
is over the device charging terminal the device charging terminal
is not electrically connected to the connector charging
terminal.
9. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein a USB cable is
inserted into the interface terminal to perform charging.
10. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein a portion of the
movable cover is cut away in a shape of an inverted triangle with
respect to the device charging terminal, and the movable cover is
connected to the interface terminal through a connecting
member.
11. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the band comprises a
receiving section for receiving the movable cover, and the movable
cover and the fixing strap are coupled to each other by a coupling
bracket.
12. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the device charging
terminal is installed in the device body, and the movable cover is
enabled to cover the device charging terminal or expose the device
charging terminal.
13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the device body
comprises a receiving section for receiving the movable cover and
an interworking member that enables interworking between a movement
of the fixing strap and opening/closing of the movable cover.
14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the interworking
member comprises an interworking bracket that couples the movable
cover and the interface terminal, and the interworking bracket
comprises the connector charging terminal.
15. An electronic device comprising: a device body; a band for
wearing the device body on a target object; a fastening part that
is configured to adjust a fit of the band to the target object; a
fixing strap movably coupled to the band; an interface terminal
installed in the fixing strap; a device charging terminal for
charging the device body; a connector charging terminal coupled to
the interface terminal; and a movable cover for the device charging
terminal configured to allow access to the device charging
terminal, wherein the movable cover is opened or closed according
to a movement of the fixing strap such that the device charging
terminal and the connector charging terminal are electrically
connected to each other when the movable cover is opened, or
electrically separated from each other when the movable cover is
closed.
16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the band comprises
the device charging terminal, and the fixing strap comprises the
connector charging terminal.
17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the device body
comprises the device charging terminal, and an interworking member,
configured to enable interworking between the movement of the
fixing strap and opening/closing of the movable cover, comprises
the connector charging terminal.
18. A method of charging an electronic device, the method
comprising: inserting a USB cable in to an interface terminal in a
fixing strap, the inserting promoting movement of the fixing strap,
wherein the movement of the fixing strap opens a movable cover of a
device charging terminal enabling electrical connection of the
device charging terminal and the connector charging terminal,
wherein the connector charging terminal is a part of the fixing
strap and is electrically connected to the interface terminal, and
the device charging terminal is electrically connected to a battery
of the electronic device.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) of Korean patent application filed on Dec. 23, 2014 in
the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number
10-2014-0187572, the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device that
can perform data communication and, more specifically, to an
electronic device with a waterproof charging terminal.
[0003] In recent years, wearable electronic devices such as smart
glasses, smart watch, fitness band, wearable robot, etc., have been
spotlighted as the most promising fields.
[0004] Particularly, a smart watch in the shape of a watch or band,
which can be worn on a wrist, is a representative wearable
device.
[0005] Such a smart watch is equipped with a charging terminal.
However, since the charging terminal is likely to be exposed to
moisture, a water-proofing function is required.
[0006] In order to keep the smart watch water-proof, the charging
terminal should not be installed on the exterior, and a power
adaptor that may use a different connector than is used by many
electronic devices presently. For example, a very popular connector
used is the universal serial bus (USB) connector for Android phones
and many other electronic devices.
[0007] Accordingly, for a conventional smart watch an additional
charger and a cable may be required that is only usable for the
smart watch.
[0008] Further, a socket for power charging on the smart watch may
have a movable cover for water-proofing. Accordingly, in cases
where the additional component is used, the movable cover may need
to be removed prior to charging and then replaced after
charging.
[0009] Therefore, the conventional smart watch that uses a
connector that cannot be used by other devices makes it
inconvenient for the user.
[0010] In order to overcome the problems, a USB connector is
installed as a charging terminal on an end portion of a fixing
strap that fixes a band for a smart watch, and charging is
performed by using a general-purpose USB cable. However, even in
this case, an additional component, such as a movable cover for
water-proofing, is required that has to be separately handled.
SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure has been conceived to solve such
problems in the related art, and an aspect of the present
disclosure is to provide an electronic device that can perform
charging by using a general-purpose USB cable without a separate
adaptor or a connector on the exterior of a smart watch, and a
method for charging the same.
[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an
electronic device that can protect a charging terminal in order to
protect the charging terminal and prevent a battery from being
discharged, and a method for charging the same.
[0013] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide
an electronic device in which a fixing strap can slide to a
charging position to thereby facilitate charging, and a method for
charging the same.
[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an
electronic device comprises: a device body; a band that couples the
device body to a target object; a fastening part that adjusts a fit
of the band coupled to the target object; a fixing strap movably
coupled to the band; and an interface terminal installed in the
fixing strap, wherein a charging state is determined according to
the position of the fixing strap relative to the band.
[0015] The band may comprise a first band and a second band, and
the first band comprises the fastening part.
[0016] The fixing strap may be securely placed on the first band so
as to slide thereon without falling off.
[0017] The interface terminal may be installed in the interior of
the fixing strap, and a space into which the second band is
inserted is formed between the interface terminal and the first
band.
[0018] The fixing strap may comprise a connector charging terminal
coupled to the interface terminal.
[0019] The electronic device may further comprise a device charging
terminal for charging the device body and a movable cover to
protect the device charging terminal, wherein the movable cover may
be moved to provide access to the device charging terminal, and
wherein the movable cover may comprise one or more seals made of
electrically insulated material to protect the device charging
terminal.
[0020] The fixing strap may slide to a predetermined position of
the band, and the movable cover is opened and closed according to
the movement of the fixing strap such that the device charging
terminal and the connector charging terminal are connected to each
other.
[0021] When the movable cover is over the device charging terminal
the device charging terminal may not be electrically connected to
the connector charging terminal.
[0022] When the fixing strap is at a predetermined position,
charging may be performed via a USB cable inserted into the
interface terminal.
[0023] The movable cover may be cut away in the shape of an
inverted triangle with respect to the device charging terminal, and
the movable cover is connected to the interface terminal through a
connecting member.
[0024] The band may comprise a receiving section for receiving the
movable cover, and the movable cover and the fixing strap are
coupled to each other through a coupling bracket.
[0025] The device charging terminal may be installed in the device
body, and the movable cover may be enabled to cover the device
charging terminal or expose the device charging terminal.
[0026] The device body may comprise a receiving section for
receiving the movable cover and an interworking member that enables
interworking between a movement of the fixing strap and
opening/closing of the movable cover.
[0027] The interworking member may comprise an interworking bracket
that couples the movable cover and the interface terminal, and the
interworking bracket comprises the connector charging terminal.
[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
an electronic device may comprise: a device body; a band for
wearing the device body on a target object; a fastening part that
is configured to adjust a fit of the band to the target object; a
fixing strap movably coupled to the band; an interface terminal
installed in the fixing strap; a device charging terminal for
charging the device body; a connector charging terminal coupled to
the interface terminal; and a movable cover installed to open and
close the device charging terminal, wherein the movable cover is
opened or closed according to a movement of the fixing strap such
that the device charging terminal and the connector charging
terminal are electrically connected to each other when the movable
cover is opened, or electrically separated from each other when the
movable cover is closed.
[0029] The band may comprise the device charging terminal, and the
fixing strap comprises the connector charging terminal.
[0030] The device body may comprise the device charging terminal,
and an interworking member that enables interworking between the
movement of the fixing strap and opening/closing of the movable
cover comprises the connector charging terminal.
[0031] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
disclosure, a method of charging an electronic device comprising:
inserting a USB cable in to an interface terminal in a fixing
strap, the inserting promoting movement of the fixing strap,
wherein the movement of the fixing strap opens a movable cover of a
device charging terminal, wherein the opened movable cover allows
electrical connection of the device charging terminal and the
connector charging terminal, wherein the connector charging
terminal is a part of the fixing strap and is electrically
connected to the interface terminal, and the device charging
terminal is electrically connected to a battery of the electronic
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and its advantages, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which like reference numerals represent like parts:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating a wearable electronic
device according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a fastening part and a fixing strap for
fixing a band, which are illustrated in FIG. 1, where a dashed
circle represents a detailed section view along line A-A;
[0035] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view illustrating how the
fixing strap for fixing a band from FIG. 1 moves;
[0036] FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 3;
[0037] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of
opening a cover according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an operation of
opening a cover according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure; and
[0039] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating device charging
terminals installed in the device body of the wearable electronic
device according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The following description with reference to the accompanying
drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of
various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the
claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details
to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as
merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made
to the various embodiments described herein without departing from
the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition,
descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be
omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0041] The terms and words used in the following description and
claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are
merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the
present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those
skilled in the art that the following description of various
embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration
purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present
disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0042] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component
surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0043] By the term "substantially" it is meant that the recited
characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly,
but that deviations or variations, including for example,
tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and
other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in
amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was
intended to provide.
[0044] As used in embodiments of the present disclosure, the
expression "include" or "may include" or "can include" refers to
the existence of a corresponding function, operation, or
constituent element, and does not limit one or more additional
functions, operations, or constituent elements. Further, as used in
embodiments of the present disclosure, the term, such as "include"
or "have" may be construed to denote a certain characteristic,
number, operation, constituent element, component or a combination
thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a
possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics,
numbers, operations, constituent elements, components or
combinations thereof.
[0045] As used in embodiments of the present disclosure, the
expression "and/or" includes any or all combinations of words
enumerated together. For example, the expression "A or B" or "at
least one of A and B" may include A, may include B, or may include
both A and B.
[0046] While expressions including ordinal numbers, such as "first"
and "second," as used in the present disclosure may modify various
constituent elements, such constituent elements are not limited by
the above expressions. For example, the above expressions may not
indicate a specific order and/or relative importance of the
corresponding constituent elements. The above expressions may be
used merely for the purpose of distinguishing a constituent element
from other constituent elements. For example, a first user device
and a second user device indicate different user devices although
both are user devices. For example, a first constituent element may
be termed a second constituent element, and likewise a second
constituent element may also be termed a first constituent element
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0047] When a first component is referred to as being "connected"
or "accessed" to a second component, it should be understood that
the first component may be directly connected or accessed to the
second component, but also that a third component may be interposed
between the first and second components. Contrarily, when the first
component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly
accessed" to the second component, it should be understood that
there is no other component between the first component and the
second component.
[0048] In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an
electronic device may be a device that involves a communication
function. Accordingly, an electronic device may be, for example, a
smart phone, personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a
video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook
computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia
Player (PMP), a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2)
Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player, a portable medical device, a digital
camera, or a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted Device (HMD),
such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic
bracelet, an electronic necklace, electronic tattoos, an electronic
appcessory, a smart watch, etc.).
[0049] FIG. 1 illustrates a wearable electronic device according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2
illustrates a fastening part 160 and a fixing strap 200 for fixing
a band, which are illustrated in FIG. 1, where a dashed circle
represents a detailed section view along line A-A of FIG. 2.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic device, for
example a wearable device, according to the various embodiments of
the present disclosure, is a smart watch 100 that includes a device
body 120 and a band 140 by which the device body 120 is worn on a
user's wrist. An interface terminal 300 (FIG. 2) may be installed
in the fixing strap 200 that fixes the band 140 of the smart watch
100. That is, the fixing strap 200 secures the end of a strap so
that it is not loose. A USB terminal may be installed as the
interface terminal 300, and various other interface terminals, in
addition to that, may be installed.
[0051] The term "user" used in the various embodiments of the
present disclosure may refer to a person or a device (e.g., an
artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic
device, namely, a wearable electronic device.
[0052] The band 140 may include a first band 142 and a second band
144, and the first band 142 may include the fastening part 160 for
wearing the device body 120 by adjusting the length of the band 140
according to the thickness of an object on which the electronic
device is worn, for example, according to the thickness of the
user's wrist. Accordingly, the band 140 may be said to couple the
electronic device (smart watch 100) to the target object, which may
be a wrist of a person wearing the electronic device.
[0053] The band 140 may be, for example, integrally formed in order
to wear the device body 120, and in this case, the fastening part
160 may be configured such that the device body 120 may be worn on
the integrated band 140.
[0054] In addition, the second band 144 may have a plurality of
fastening holes 146 formed therein, which may be, for example, at
equal intervals.
[0055] The fastening part 160 may include a ring member 164 coupled
to a hinge shaft 162 mounted to the first band 142 and a latch 166
that has one end coupled to the hinge shaft 162 and an opposite end
protruding toward the inside of the ring member 164 such that the
latch 166 can be inserted into one of the fastening holes 146 when
the second band 144 is placed through the ring member 164.
[0056] The length of the band 140 may be adjusted to be suitable
for the thickness of the user's wrist by inserting the second band
144 into the ring member 164 of the fastening part 160, and then
inserting the latch 166 of the fastening part 160 into one of the
fastening holes 146.
[0057] In the case of a watch-type smart watch, it is common for a
user to wear the device body 120 on his/her wrist by adjusting the
length of the band 140 using the fastening part 160 that includes
the hinge shaft 162, the ring member 164, and the latch 166. The
device body 120 may also be worn in various manners by configuring
the fastening part 160 differently.
[0058] Further, the fixing strap 200 may be securely placed on the
first band 142 so as to slide thereon without falling off, and may
be able to move various positions.
[0059] The fit of the band 140 around, for example, a wrist, may be
adjusted by inserting the latch 166 into one of the fastening holes
146 in the second band 144, and the second band 144 may be inserted
into the fixing strap 200 so that the second band 144 can be
positioned adjacent to the first band 142.
[0060] The smart watch 100 (electronic device/wearable device),
according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,
may include the interface terminal 300 (FIG. 2) to which a
corresponding connector of a cable (not shown) such as, for
example, a general-purpose USB cable, may be connected.
[0061] The interface terminal 300 may be installed, for example, in
the interior of the fixing strap 200, and a space into which the
second band 144 is inserted may be formed between the lower surface
of the interface terminal 300 and the upper surface of the first
band 142.
[0062] The interface terminal 300 may include connector charging
terminals 320 for charging, and when the fixing strap 200 slides to
a predetermined position along the first band 142, charging may be
performed by inserting the USB cable into the interface terminal
300.
[0063] To this end, electricity may flow from the USB cable (not
shown) to the device body 120 via the interface terminal 300, the
connector charging terminals 320, and the device charging terminals
122.
[0064] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing strap
200 may include the connector charging terminals 320.
[0065] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a state where the fixing strap for
fixing a band of FIG. 1 moves.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in various embodiments of the
present disclosure the device charging terminals 122 may be
installed on the band 140 of the wearable device, particularly, on
the lower surface of the first band 142, and may be covered or
exposed by a cover 400 (FIG. 4) to provide water-proofing when not
charging and access when charging. Although not shown, the cover
400 may be secured so as not to fall off when moved to cover or
expose the device charging terminals 122. The securing may be any
one of known methods for similar functionality, as well as any
methods to be developed in the future.
[0067] The cover 400 may be opened when the fixing strap 200 moves
to a position A indicated by a dotted line, and may be closed when
the fixing strap 200 moves to a position B indicated by a solid
line.
[0068] The cover 400 may include one or more seals 402 on the
periphery thereof for water-proofing, and the seals 402 may be made
of appropriate non-conductive material such as, for example,
natural rubber, synthetic rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc.
The seals 402 may be implemented as any one of numerous appropriate
implementations presently known, or to be discovered in the
future.
[0069] That is, after a general-purpose USB cable (not illustrated)
is inserted into the interface terminal 300 (FIG. 2), the fixing
strap 200 to which the interface terminal 300 is attached may slide
along the first band 142 to be located at the position A of the
first band 142.
[0070] At this time, the cover 400 is opened by a force depending
on the sliding of the fixing strap 200, and the connector charging
terminals 320, which are provided on the fixing strap 200, and the
device charging terminals 122, which are mounted on the lower
surface of the first band 142, are connected to each other so that
electricity may be conducted.
[0071] As described above, when the fixing strap 200 moves to a
position A of the first band 142, the connector charging terminals
320 and the device charging terminals 122 are electrically
connected to each other, thereby allowing charging.
[0072] In contrast, when the fixing strap 200 slides to the
position B, the connector charging terminals 320 and the device
charging terminals 122 may be separated from each other, and the
cover 400 may cover the device charging terminals 122, thereby
water-proofing the device charging terminals 122. Further, foreign
substances (not shown) may be attached to the device charging
terminals 122 to further prevent electricity from being conducted,
which may prevent gradual discharging of a battery.
[0073] The opening/closing of the cover 400 according to the
sliding of the fixing strap 200 may be configured in various
forms.
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the cover 400 for the
device charging terminals 122, which are mounted on the first band
142, may be connected to the interface terminal 300 through a
connecting member 420, such as a thread, a string, a cord, a strap,
a lace, a spring, etc. When the connecting member 420 is flexible,
the cover 400 may be opened by, for example, moving the fixing
strap 200 toward the cover 400. For example, some portion of the
fixing strap 200 may push against the cover 400 when the fixing
strap 200 is moved to position B. When the fixing strap 200 is
moved to position A, the connecting member 420 may pull the cover
400 in place over the device charging terminals 122. One side of
the cover 400 may be cut away in the shape of an inverted triangle
with respect to the device charging terminals 122, and this side
may be connected to the connecting member 420. The cut away may be
performed, for example, to differentiate one side of the cover 400
from its opposite side.
[0075] When the fixing strap 200, to which the interface terminal
300 is attached, slides along the first band 142 to position A, the
cover 400 is accordingly opened so that the connector charging
terminals 320 and the device charging terminals 122 may be
connected to each other.
[0076] In contrast, when the fixing strap 200 slides along the
first band 142 to position B, the cover 400 may be closed according
to the movement of the fixing strap 200 because the cover 400 is
connected to the fixing strap 200 and the connecting member
420.
[0077] When the cover 400 is closed, the connector charging
terminals 320 and the device charging terminals 122 may be
separated from each other, and the device charging terminals 122
may be closed.
[0078] The cover 400 of the wearable device (electronic device) of
the present disclosure may also be configured as a sliding cover
500.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, the first band 142 may include a
receiving section 150 for receiving the sliding cover 500.
[0080] The sliding cover 500 and the fixing strap 200 may be
connected through a coupling bracket 520 to be spaced a
predetermined distance apart from each other.
[0081] When the fixing strap 200 moves, the sliding cover 500 may
slide in conjunction with the movement of the fixing strap 200 so
that the movement of the fixing strap 200 and the opening/closing
of the sliding cover 500 may interwork with each other.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, when a general-purpose USB cable is
inserted into the interface terminal 300 for charging when the
sliding cover 500 covers the device charging terminals 122 as shown
by a solid line, the fixing strap 200 moves toward the device
charging terminals 122, and the sliding cover 500 slides in
conjunction with the movement of the fixing strap 200 and is
received in the receiving section 150 illustrated by a dotted line
so that the device charging terminals 122 can be exposed and
electrically connected to the connector charging terminals 320.
[0083] In contrast, when the fixing strap 200 moves back toward the
fastening part 160, away from the device charging terminals 122,
the sliding cover 500 can once again cover the device charging
terminals 122. Accordingly, the device charging terminals 122 and
the connector charging terminals 320 are separated from each other,
and the device charging terminals 122 are covered by the sliding
cover 500 so that the device charging terminals 122 may again be
water-proofed.
[0084] Although the device charging terminals 122 are installed in
the first band 142 in the above description, the device charging
terminals 122 may also be directly installed in the device body 120
of the smart watch 100.
[0085] FIG. 7 illustrates device charging terminals installed in
the device body of the wearable device (electronic device)
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 7, device charging terminals 122 and
a sliding cover 500 may be formed in the device body 120,
specifically, in a battery cover 180 included in the device body
120.
[0087] Further, the device charging terminals 122 may be opened and
closed for water-proofing and charging by the sliding of the
sliding cover 500.
[0088] Although not specifically illustrated, it is apparent that
the device charging terminals 122 may be directly formed in the
device body 120 rather than the battery cover 180 such that the
device charging terminals 122 may be opened and closed by the
sliding of the sliding cover 500.
[0089] The battery cover 180 may include a receiving section 182
for accommodating the sliding cover 500, and the fixing strap 200
may include an interworking bracket 540 that enables interworking
between a movement of the fixing strap 200 and opening/closing of
the sliding cover 500 in order to slide the sliding cover 500
according to the movement of the fixing strap 200 and accommodate
the fixing strap 200 in the receiving section 182.
[0090] The position of the interworking bracket 540, which
interconnects the sliding cover 500 and the fixing strap 200, and
the positions of the device charging terminals 122, which are
formed in the device body 120, may be selectively designed.
[0091] Although not specifically illustrated, the interworking
bracket 540 may include connector charging terminals 320 that can
be electrically connected to or separated from the device charging
terminals 122 depending on the position of the fixing strap 200,
where movement of the fixing strap 200 results in covering or
uncovering the device charging terminals 122 by the sliding cover
500.
[0092] Since the fixing strap 200 and the sliding cover 500
interwork with each other through the interworking bracket 540,
when the sliding cover 500 slides according to the movement of the
fixing strap 200 and is received in the receiving section 182, the
device charging terminals 122 may be opened and connected to the
connector charging terminals 320 so that charging may be performed.
In contrast, when the sliding cover 500 slides from the receiving
section 182 to close the device charging terminals 122,
water-proofing may be performed.
[0093] As described above, according to the various embodiments of
the present disclosure, the fixing strap, which has the interface
terminal installed therein into which a general-purpose USB cable
is inserted for charging, slides to a predetermined position to
open/close the cover so that charging can be easily performed while
a water-proofing function is maintained.
[0094] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the
interface terminal is installed in the interior of the fixing strap
so that charging can be performed without a separate adaptor or a
connector on the exterior of the smart watch.
[0095] Further, charging can be performed by using a
general-purpose USB cable rather than a separate cable or adaptor,
thereby enhancing usability and reducing material costs.
[0096] In addition, according to the various embodiments of the
present disclosure, the connector charging terminals and the device
charging terminals, which are installed inside the band, are
separated from each other so that the charging terminals are not
exposed to the outside when the smart watch is worn, thereby
preventing the battery from being discharged due to an electrical
connection between the charging terminals.
[0097] While the present disclosure has been shown and described
with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
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